3 keepers
keeper avg .188
This review covers the 2001 compilation of the group's two albums, 25 O'Clock (1985) and Psonic Psunspot (1987).
For those that don't already know Dukes of Stratosphear was the mid-80's (so drummer-less) lineup of XTC with Ian Gregory (Dave G's brother) on board to pound the skins; the project roughly corresponded to the time of The Big Express (1984) and Skylarking (1986). Copied from wikipedia: "Three rules were set for its production: songs must follow the conventions of 1967 and 1968 psychedelia, no more than two takes allowed, and use vintage equipment wherever possible." So the project was not meant to be taken too seriously, though the albums ended up being pretty successful.
If you've got some time it can be fun to play the "guess the influence/inspiration" game, but apparently Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory already spilled all the answers in an interview from some undisclosed time, partially transcribed here:
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/dukes-of-stratosphere-inspired-by-what-songs.79443/
By my reckoning (that is mostly without checking my notes with the creators') to them 1967 and 1968 psychedelia meant almost half of the tracks based on The Beatles (everything from "Help" to "Yellow Submarine"), a few based on Nuggets compilation tracks, and others including Syd Barret era Pink Floyd (Bike Ride to the Moon), Stones from Satanic Majesties Request (Your Gold Dress), a Kinks-like "pub single" (You're a Good Man Albert Brown), Byrds (You're My Drug), and an obvious reference to Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (Pale and Precious).
On some tracks their inspirations are very visibly displayed on their sleeves, "25 O'Clock" and "Shiny Cage" being extreme examples ("I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" and "I'm Only Sleeping" respectively). On the other hand, "Little Lighthouse"****, which was originally meant for the Skylarking album, only subtly resembles mid-era Beatles and is one of the album's definite highlights; Colin Moulding's waltz-time "The Affiliated" was also meant for XTC. A rousing opening riff (based on The Yardbirds' "Over Under Sideways Down") and obvious double-entendre make "My Love Explodes"**** another more memorable one. I have no explanation why "You're a Good Man Albert Brown (Curse You Red Barrel)"**** appeals to me so.
Despite the group's modest intentions these albums seem to have become revered among the fans. To me they're just candy for psychedelia-loving rock critics and mostly not that interesting except as a cunning stunt. At least when Weird Al Yankovic makes pastiches of contemporary hits no one pretends they're anything other than silly (or in my case hilarious) novelty music.
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